Driving change in the lead up to COP26

Here at InstaVolt, we’re committed to making the world a better place. We do that through providing rapid EV charging stations across the UK – powered solely by renewables – that are easily accessible to anyone and everyone driving an electric vehicle.

But going green while traveling isn’t the only thing you can do for the environment. As the eyes of the world turn to the UK for COP26, we’re taking a look at some of the simple changes you can make to your everyday life that can have major benefits for the world around us.

“Reduce, reuse, recycle” might sound a little clichéd these days, but the message is as vital as it ever was…

Reduce your waste

Reducing the number of single-use items you buy is the first step to doing your bit for the environment. Try to avoid items packaged in unnecessary plastics and instead seek out your local refill shop, where you can pick up packaging-free products.

Instead of grabbing the latest iPhone as soon as it comes out, try waiting until your old phone stops working. You’ll save your old phone going to landfill… and also end up with more cash in your pocket!

And consider going paperless for all your bills and receipts. Not only will you be reducing your paper usage, but you’ll also save on clutter around your home.

Reuse what you can

What you can’t reduce, you should try to reuse. Remember those refill shops we mentioned earlier? Empty jars and containers – given a clean out – make the perfect holders for flour, pasta, rice, cereals… and you can reuse them time and time again.

Old milk cartons and yoghurt pots also make for great seed trays when growing flowers and vegetables in your garden or windowsill. (And not only will your new plants look pretty, but they’ll provide the perfect environment for insects and wildlife to thrive.)

Recycle the rest

We should all try to avoid throwing things into the general waste wherever possible. Many local councils offer kerbside recycling for glass, paper, plastic, and food and garden waste.

But did you know that recycling centres up and down the country can find new leases of life for furniture, electrical appliances, clothing and all manner of household and industrial waste?

Rather than condemning your waste to an eternity in landfill, pop in your electric car and bring it to a recycling centre where it can be disposed of responsibly and find a new lease of life.v